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Gvt announces planning prices for strategic commodities

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Gvt announces planning prices for strategic commodities

Beverly Bizeki

The Government of Zimbabwe has moved a step up in incentivizing farmers to commit more land to strategic crops farming through pegging prices for the 2023/24 production season for grains in USD and permitting imports of grains with immediate effect ahead of an El Nino season.
Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development (MoLAFWRD) Minister Dr Anxious Masuka said this during the announcement of prices for grains at the ministry headquarters at Ngungunyana in Harare on September 12.
Dr Masuka said the pricing system was aimed at achieving food and nutrition security and macroeconomic stability.
“A viable incentive planning price will incentivize farmers to commit more land under the specific strategic crops. The planning pricing system being proposed is consistent with achieving both food and nutrition security and macroeconomic stability. This is against the prediction on an Eli Nino season,” said Dr Masuka.
He said the planning price for maize and traditional grains was pegged at USD335.03 per tonne and the average import parity price was US$ 331 per tonne.
“The recommended 2023 incentive planning price for maize and traditional grains is US$ 335 and average import parity price for maize is USD 331 per tonne while the recommended incentive planning price for sunflower for the 2023/24 season is USD654 per tonne,” said Dr Masuka.
The ministry has also allowed the private sector to import grains to build national stocks ahead of the predicted El Nino.
“The ministry will also implement immediately the importation of maize by private players be allowed in view of the predicted El Nino, to build national stocks, mealie meal imports by households to continue and importation of soyabeans by private players to be allowed in view of the predicated El Nino, to build national stocks,” he said
The Meteorological Services Department has predicted an El Nino which is likely to cause below average rainfall this farming season.

Masvingo murder suspect nabbed in Mutasa

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Masvingo murder suspect nabbed in Mutasa

Beverly Bizeki

A Runyararo West murder suspect who had escaped after committing robbery and murder in Masvingo was recently nabbed in Mutasa, Manicaland, where he was hiding for more than a month after he had sought employment as a cattle herder.
His luck ran out after his accomplice who had been nabbed earlier gave up his whereabouts and was caught where he had been employed as a herd boy.
Delight Matore made an initial appearance before Masvingo magistrate Rutendo Jakati on September 12, 2023 for one count of robbery and murder of Tinashe Marufu and was remanded to September 26, for continuation of trial.
It is the state case as presented by Ruvimbo Makoni that on August 4, the accused person together with his accomplice Tichaona Chamarambo who is already in police custody were walking along Kelvin Majange Street in Runyararo West when they saw the now deceased Marufu walking behind them.
After walking for about 50m, Chamarambo grabbed the late Marufu’s hands whilst Matore searched his pockets demanding for money and valuables before taking his cellphone and ran away.
Marufu screamed for help whilst chasing them and he managed to catch Chamarambo who was climbing Francis Aphiri perimeter wall.
Chamarambo stabbed Marufu on the collar bone on the right side using an okapi knife and some members of the public who had joined Marufu in chasing the duo assisted him in getting hold of Chamarambo and Matore managed to escape.
Marufu later died from bleeding on the stab wound.

A long walk to the future

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A long walk to the future

…as rural kids walk over 15km daily to and from school

Faith Duri

With unwavering determination etched on their faces, a group of children carry the weight of their dreams as they embark on an extraordinary pilgrimage to get secondary education.
This is a story that unfolds with every step, as these young souls traverse long distances and treacherous terrains driven by unyielding thirst for knowledge, going to Chidzikwe or Mutenderende Secondary schools which are the only secondary schools in Summerton Resettlement area in Masvingo district.
Every day, secondary school kids from different pockets of the resettlement area, born out of the 1980s resettlement scheme as well as the 2000s’ Land Reform Programme have to endure walking distances of up to 20km to and from school every day.
Chidzikwe Secondary headmaster, Atwel Maposa confirmed that more than 50 secondary school children, some as young as 13, walk such long distances everyday to attend classes as they have very few to no options.
“More than 50 kids from areas like Piti, Mayo, Darwin and Darwish which are about 15 to 20km away from this school walk every day to and from school. Some have to leave their homes to school around 4 am every day for them to be at school by 7am.
“Parents rarely spend time with these children during the week because they leave home early and come back late.
“I have put an order at my school to dismiss these kids early so that they will get home before dark,” said the head.
One of the pupils who is set to write her ordinary level exams at Chidzikwe Secondary School from Piti area said she had to wake up early hours around 3am to do her chores and prepare to go to school.
“I barely have time to sleep because I wake up early and sleep late since I am a candidate preparing to write my O’ Level.
“My parents can’t afford to give me USD$1 every day to go to school by bus, sometimes I arrive at school late which is disturbing my studies as an O’ Level candidate,” she said.
A parent with a child that goes to Chidzikwe Secondary said the long distance take a toll on their children’s performance and he pleaded with responsible authorities to at least donate bicycles to these kids.
“We are pleading with responsible authorities to at least donate bicycles to these kids which will help them to arrive at school on time since there is no secondary school nearby yet.
“They leave home very early in the morning to walk about 15km to 20km to and from school. This will definitely affect their performances at school especially the ones writing their O’ Level this year,” said the parent.
Speaking to TellZim News the newly elected councilor for Ward 6 Piti area Eric Masoka said he just got elected but he will make sure that a school will be built in the affected areas.
“I just got elected but l will make sure that a secondary school will be built in my Ward so as to cut the distance these kids walk,” said Masoka.
Sources however said almost 50percent of the kids who stay at those areas are not able to finish school due to the distance to school.
“If we were to do research in that area almost 50percent of kids in those areas rarely finish school up to O’ Level because of the distance.
“Also, it is a risk especially to the girl child because they have to risk leaving home at 4am, exposing them to rape along the way,” said the source.

Tabe promises more stadiums in Masvingo to inspire youth talent

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Tabe promises more stadiums in Masvingo to inspire youth talent

Admire Chatindo

Newly sworn in Councilor Alec Tabe of Ward 4 Masvingo Urban is driven towards building more stadiums as he promised just after the swearing in ceremony at Civic Centre recently.
In the mood and atmosphere of being sworn in, Tabe said he intends to push towards boosting recreation, to empower the youth in Masvingo through building more stadiums, as he plans to engage the youths and to get them involved in different forms of activities.
He said he envisions the provision of space by council on which stadiums will be constructed.
“As a City our youth will be involved and empowered through recreation. I want to push for establishment of more sporting stadiums to cater for the ever increasing number of youths in Masvingo and council should avail more land for this,” said Tabe.
On his wish list, he said he will put efforts directed towards establishing alternative power supply to council through the installation of solar panels at the council hall.
“These solar panels, will reduce the bills paid by the council to ZESA and also to make sure that there is power supply during ZESA power outages and this will in turn lessen bills on residents,” Tabe said.
He also promised to push for the completion of the long standing Mucheke trunk sewer project.
“We need to ensure the completion of the Mucheke Trunk sewer through engaging other organizations to carry out this project, so as to create ample room for the city council to embark on more projects and also establishment of an Infectious Diseases Hospital in Masvingo similar to the one in Harare.
Tabe said there was need for decentralization to reduce bureaucracy in terms of council operations to improve service delivery and to provide convenient, payment methods for clients to pay all their bills in the comfort of their homes and to do away with long queues when paying bills.

Mutimurefu inmate up for indecent assault

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Mutimurefu inmate up for indecent assault

Perpetua Murungweni

An unrepentant 26-year old Mutimurefu prison inmate appeared before Masvingo Magistrate Rutendo Jakati on September 9, 2023 for a crime committed in prison whilst serving another jail term.
The inmate Bhukosi Sibanda was charged with indecent assault and was remanded to September 19 for continuation of trial.
It is a state’s case as presented by Prosecutor Ruvimbo Makoni that on March 7, 2022, Sibanda committed an indecent sexual act on another inmate he was sharing the cell with while they slept.
Sibanda and the complainant were sleeping in the same cell when the accused woke up and sneaked into the complainant’s blankets and committed the crime.
The complainant then woke up from the strange feeling of what had happened and Sibanda went on to cover himself with blankets pretending to be asleep.
Kanyemba then woke other inmates up and together they inspected Sibanda’s privates, after which they found evidence that he had committed the crime.

Mentally challenged man kills uncle over cup of tea

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Mentally challenged man kills uncle over cup of tea

Bright Zhou

A mentally challenged man from Dzimati village, under headman Maswera in Chivi is on the run after he killed his uncle over a cup of tea.
The incident happened on September 11,2023 after the deceased Greceson Chivasa (81) told the accused person Tafadzwa Chivasa (19) to wait for water to boil before he could make a cup of tea for him.
Masvingo Provincial Deputy Police Spokesperson Assistant Lorraine Ndlovu Chanakira confirmed the incident and urged people to value the sanctity of life and appealed to members of the public with information that may help in apprehending the suspect to visit the nearest police station.
“We received a report from Chivi where the suspect who is still on the run struck his uncle with a stone on the stomach after he told him to wait for a cup of tea”,
“We urge members of the public to value the sanctity of life and we also urge persons with mentally challenged relatives to make sure that they always take their medication. We are appealing to anyone with information that may led to the arrest of the suspect to come forward “, said Chinakira.
The younger Chivasa came home from the nearest shopping center and asked his uncle to make a cup of tea for him after which his uncle told him to wait for the water to boil.
Tafadzwa did not respond to his uncle but instead he took a stone and struck his uncle on the stomach and he fell and died on the spot.
An onlooker shouted for help from neighbors but Tafadzwa fled and disappeared into a nearby mountain.
The incident was reported at the nearest police base, and the police took the deceased’s body to Chivi District Hospital for postmortem.

Leave positive legacy, DDC urges new Gweru council

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Leave positive legacy, DDC urges new Gweru council

Tinaani Nyabereka

MIDLANDS-Gweru District Development Coordinator (DDC), Tarisai Mudadigwa has urged the newly sworn in Gweru City councilors to work towards positive legacy in their 5 year term of office.
Speaking after the swearing in ceremony last week, Mudadigwa said he was happy to see a youthful group of councilors coming in.
“Strive to leave a legacy, a legacy in the history of Gweru City Council. A legacy characterized by hard work, honesty, and dedication to duty. You know the background we have, issues of water, street lights, illegal vending.
“You are the new hoes coming in, and we expect you to have an impact and I am very happy to see a youthful group of councilors.
“We felt as a Ministry that it was necessary to equip the new Councilors who are coming into the new system of local governance. The local government system is dynamic, it changes especially under the devolution mantra,” he said.
Mudadigwa however reminded the new Councilors on their mandate to serve the people saying they are the ones who determine how long they will stay in council.
“Councilors, the secret to remain where you are sitting is to serve the electorate, the electorate are our bosses. As a government, we say we want servant leadership.
“Maintain an open door policy to the people who elected you. When you return from council give feedback to the people who sent you,” he said.
A ward 13 resident, Lameck Sateko also spoke on the need for council to uphold engagement for development to move.
“The newly elected Councilors should change Gweru, they should not do what has been happening but come up with different ideas and know that they were elected by the people. Whatever they get from council they should bring it back to the people, whatever decision they want to make they should consult residents first.
“On water, what pains us is that water is there but we get too many excuses, electricity this and that; they should try by all means so that we can at least say when Councilor so and so came in they did this so that residents see the benefit of electing them,” said Sateko.
The councilors are set to go for their first phase of induction on September 21 and 22.

5 households destroyed by veld fire

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5 households destroyed by veld fire

Faith Duri

12 houses from five households were destroyed by fire in Chipinda and Matsvare villages in ward 1, Zaka North Saturday September 9, 2023.
The cause of fire that destroyed more than 500 ha of land is yet to be ascertained but the devastation left a number of people and animals stranded.
Chipinda village head Green Komboni confirmed the horrific incident and said four households of eight houses were destroyed in his village.
“The incident happened last week, four households and eight houses then three gardens and two fowl runs were destroyed in my Village,” said Komboni
He went on to say the fire also destroyed four houses from one household in the neibouring Matsvare Village.
“The fire also spread to Matsvare area where one household of four houses were destroyed, Environmental Management Agency (EMA) is still investigating the cause of the fire. We thank God that we didn’t lose human lives or record any injury.
“Those willing to help can get in touch with the village head on this number 0713 891 125,” added the village head.
Local Councilor Dawn Svinurai Chivore said a number of families were left without shelter and food and were in dire need of help.
“The fire destroyed about five households destroying food and clothes as well as small livestock mainly chicken. So far victims are appealing for assistance in form of mainly food and clothes,” said Chivore.
He went on to say they were also in need of roofing material since the houses that were affected were mostly grass thatched.
“Some people are also appealing for roofing material. The houses that were destroyed were mainly grass thatched and it’s now difficult to get thatching grass since the grass was destroyed by fire.
“It’s also a challenge for cattle as the grazing lands were destroyed and cattle in the area will be forced to walk long distances to other villages for pastures,” said Chivore.
Veld fires pose a threat to livelihoods as they have adverse effects on human life as well as the environment. They also cause a significant loss in Flora and Fauna, which results in bio diversity loss and can drive certain vulnerable species that are battling for existence into extinction.

Former mayor urges councilors to shun corruption, be non-partisan

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Former mayor urges councilors to shun corruption, be non-partisan

Decide Nhendo

The outgoing mayor for Masvingo City Council Collen Maboke has urged newly sworn in councilors to work together and shun corruption as well as being non-partisan as that promotes good service delivery.
Speaking after the swearing in ceremony at Masvingo Civic Centre on September 9, 2023, the former ward 2 councilor Maboke said he was happy with how he worked with fellow councilors and management and urged the new councilors to leave politics behind when they commence work at council chambers.
“The word of advice I would give to new councilors is that they should act as representatives of people not politicians when they get into council chambers,” said Maboke.
Maboke said if the new councilors want to deliver services successfully, they must work together like how they were doing in their just ended term where they didn’t tolerate or ask which political party one was from and as a result they managed to be liable when it comes to service delivery.
“I urge you new councilors to work together like the way we were working in our term, because we didn’t mind about one’s political party,” said Maboke.
Maboke said new councilors must not be involved in corruption as it is a great setback to development and he said they have to be aware that some people go to them asking for favors from them prompting them to get involved in corruption.
“New councilors must be aware of people who come looking for favors, as that promotes corruption,” said Maboke.

I will fight Chadzamira till end – Chief Charumbira

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I will fight Chadzamira till end – Chief Charumbira

…lobbies his clansmen to start hunting for Chadzamira’s replacement

Beverly Bizeki

MASVINGO – Chief Fortune Charumbira is probably a bitter man who is fighting too many battles from the region where he is battling to be in-charge of the Pan African Parliament to local politics where he is fighting the incumbent legislator for Masvingo West Ezra Chadzamira.
Since his alleged sex scandal story early this year, Chief Charumbira has been facing challenges and his recent undiplomatic utterances against the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs for Masvingo Chadzamira is probably a sign that the ‘centre no longer holds’.
The embattled Pan African President who is being pushed out by one of his vice presidents on various allegations including corruption, publicly announced while addressing his subjects in Ward 12 that he will fight Chadzamira and see to it that he did not retain the Masvingo West Constituency seat come 2028.
Charumbira then immediately lobbied his clansmen to start hunting for someone who can replace Chadzamira.
“I know the issue about the MP (Chadzamira) that you are not happy about. He has too many issues which I’m sure you don’t know but I know them and I am going to expose him in the not so distant future. Of all the MPS who have been here like the late Mudhenge (Stan) and Mavhaire (Dzikamai), they never addressed meetings in my absence but this one (Chadzamira) did that and you never bothered to ask him why? You should have asked him why he was addressing his rallies in my absence,” said Charumbira.
“He (Chadzamira) fought me and I’m going to fight back – that’s who I am. I am a hard nut to crack; I want to finish him – let us plan and find someone among our people to replace Chadzamira.
“Don’t tell me that we cannot find one of our own here in Wards 12, 11 or 9. If you fail to get one then I will put an advert in the press saying we are looking for someone willing to become our MP because we do not have one,” Charumbira added.
He further claimed while addressing his subjects that he even told President Emmerson Mnangagwa about the rift between him and Chadzamira.
“Even the President knows this; I told him that I don’t get along with him (Chadzamira) because of the way he does his things,” Charumbira said.
There are allegations that Zanu PF lost Wards 11 and 12 because Charumbira campaigned against Chadzamira whom he publicly announced that he doesn’t like. However, during his address Charumbira shifted the blame to Chadzamira saying people voted for CCC because they did not want the MP. He said it was fine that villagers did not vote for Chadzamira but hastened to say they should have voted for the councilor.
“However you made a mistake for not voting for councilor Mapara, why didn’t you vote for him? He is a good person you were supposed to vote for him. The MP (Chadzamira) is solely responsible for our loss here,” said Charumbira.
He also took time explaining the fights at PAP as well as justifying his decision to becoming vice president of the chiefs’ council.
“In the national election, I declined the position of president because I am always busy due to my other work commitments. I seconded my vice to be president and I decided to settle for the position of deputy because I have other posts including parliament and PAP. The most important thing is I retained my seat in the chiefs’ council and in parliament,” said Charumbira.
Contacted for comment Chadzamira, who was reappointed Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, said election time was over and was happy with the people of Masvingo for voting peacefully.
He said he respects traditional leaders and it was their right to have different views but whats important was working together.
“I want to that the people of Masvingo for voting peacefully and now that election time is over, we have to work together for development and to achieve the President’s vision 2030.
“I respect traditional leaders very much and it is their right to have different opinions and views but what is important is for people to unite and work together. I encourage everyone to put hands on the deck to work for development whilst respecting traditional leaders and their views,” said Chadzamira.

 

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